§ 20. Mr. BradyTo ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions how many pensioners the Government estimates will be receiving pension credit by 2006. [132620]
§ Malcolm WicksWe are the first Government ever to set a take up target for any benefit and we aim to have at least 3 million pensioner households receiving Pension Credit by 2006.
However, we want every pensioner to take up their entitlement. We have already written to 1.6 million pension households to tell them about Pension Credit and will be writing to the remainder by June 2004. In addition we are running a major advertising campaign on TV and in the press to familiarise, pensioners, their families and friends with Pension Credit and to encourage them to apply.
§ 22. Ms KeebleTo ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions if he will make a statement on the implementation of the Pension Credit. [132623]
§ Malcolm WicksAround 1.9 million pensioner households on our systems are already being paid Pension Credit. This represents over two million 355W individuals. Of the awards made, 1.15 million pension households (over 1.3 million pensioners) will get more than they would have before. We are contacting every pensioner household, and want all those who may be entitled, to take up Pension Credit.
Anyone who applies by October 2004 will be able to receive payment from the start or the scheme or the first date they are entitled.
Around half of all households are eligible for Pension Credit and stand to gain on average £400 a year (or around £7 a week).
§ 23. Mr. BlizzardTo ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions how many pensioners are entitled to Pension Credit in Waveney constituency. [132624]
§ Malcolm WicksThe information is not available in the format requested. However, an estimated 300,000 pensioner households are eligible for Pension Credit in the Eastern region.